How Can a Parent Help With Major Depression?

According to the Northwest Regional Council/Area Agency on Aging, major depression is a life-threatening mental disorder affecting 17 million people annually in the United States and nearly one in 33 children and teens. Until recently doctors didn't even believe that children could contract depression and the condition was often misdiagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral and adjustment disorders. Whether your child is 5 or 50 years old, as a parent, your support and eyes on the progress and symptoms of the disease can mean the difference between life and death for your son or daughter.

Causes

• Depression is a disease with underlying physical causes. Lowered levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain can make it impossible to feel good. Depression has a genetic component and often runs in families. It can be triggered by stressful events or chronic illness. It is not a sign of weakness and you can't just snap out of it or pull yourself up by your emotional bootstraps. People suffering major depression have no emotional bootstraps. Because depression distorts thinking, your child may be unable to perform activities of daily living and may feel isolated, worthless and hopeless. Suicide is a frequent consequence of the disease. It cannot be stressed how important it is that there be eyes on your child with depressive disorders like major depression, dysthymia or bipolar. Your child may be 12, 20 or 50, it does not matter. Keep an eye on them.

Symptoms

• Watch for these symptoms in your child: sad or hopeless feelings, loss of interest, sudden crying spells with no triggering event, sleep problems, poor concentration, sudden weight gain or loss, irritability, difficulty deciding, restlessness, fatigue, mysterious physical symptoms like back pain or headache and thoughts of worthlessness or suicide. In adult children, you will see similar symptoms, as well as possible loss of libido and problems at work. If you see several of these symptoms in your child, young or adult, get them screened for depression immediately. Time is critical, especially if suicidal ideation is present.

Parent Intervention

• In the past, too many kids went untreated for childhood depression as it can mimic conditions like ADHD. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD or some other condition and prescribed medications have no effect, suspect depression. ADHD medications work well and if they do not, it's probably not ADHD. It is important that you report everything you see as your child struggles with depression. You are the eyes and ears of the physician who is treating your son or daughter. His treatment strategy will depend in large part on what you tell him about medications, therapy and other interventions you try. Don't let feelings of guilt or responsibility interfere. While family matters can trigger a depressive episode, your child needs your support. He needs to hear that he is loved and needed and important to you, even if he pushes you away. That's when he needs you the most. Keep careful notes for the doctor, make sure to keep medical appointments, educate yourself about depression and network with other families coping with major depression. As a caregiver, you need emotional support too in order to be able to help your child.

Treatment

• Treatments include psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both. Getting the right medication, dosages or combination of medications can take awhile. If what you're doing doesn't work, tell the mental health professional so they can adjust treatment. Psychotherapy is about finding the causes of the depression and creating strategies to change negative thoughts, not about finding out who is to blame. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety. You should encourage your child to stick with whatever therapeutic process shows signs of helping.